Adoption provides a safe, loving and permanent family for a child who cannot live with their birth parents. Once an adoption order is granted, you become the child’s legal parent for life.

While adoption and fostering both offer stability and care, they differ legally:

Adoption:

• You become the child’s legal parent.
• You have full parental responsibility.
• The child takes your family name and becomes a permanent member of your family.

Fostering:

• Parental responsibility remains with the Local Authority.
• You work in partnership with social workers and, in many cases, the child’s birth family.
• Care may be short-term, long-term, or part of an ongoing plan for the child.

The adoption process typically takes up to 6 months.

Stage 1 (up to 2 months): Initial checks, references and preparation.

Stage 2 (up to 4 months): A detailed assessment exploring your experience, strengths and readiness to adopt.

We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and guide you every step of the way.

To begin your adoption journey, simply get in touch with us by phone, email, or by attending one of our information events.

Children waiting for adoptive families have usually faced a difficult start in life and may need additional support. They may be:

• Babies and toddlers.
• Primary-aged children.
• Brothers and sisters who need to stay together.
• Children with learning needs, disabilities, or additional support requirements.

Yes – depending on the child’s care plan and your circumstances. You’ll still need to complete an adoption assessment to ensure your suitability to adopt. Speak with the child’s social worker and your own fostering social worker for guidance.

Yes. If you’ve undergone fertility treatment, you’ll need to have completed treatment at least six months before applying to adopt with us. This gives you time to adjust and consider all your options before beginning the adoption process.

It may. If you’re hoping to adopt a child aged 0-5, you’ll need to be a non-smoker or have stopped smoking for at least 12 months before applying.

Having a criminal conviction does not automatically prevent you from adopting. However, it’s important that you tell us about any convictions when you apply. Some offences will prevent a person from adopting, and we’ll always be open and honest about how this may affect your application.